LA hotspot named world's worst tourist attraction: report

LA home to worst tourist attraction in world: report

Analysts looked at more than 100 tourist attractions around the world and came up with a list of the "worst" destinations that "underwhelm visitors despite their global fame," according to the report.

LOS ANGELES - A recent study of more than a hundred global landmarks has identified the most disappointing travel destinations around the world, with the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles taking the top spot as the "worst" major tourist attraction. 

The research highlights a growing disconnect between the cinematic glamour often expected by travelers and the reality of overcrowding, safety concerns, and poor accessibility at historic sites.

Local perspective:

The ranking published by Stasher analyzed 101 of the world’s most iconic sights. To provide an objective score out of 10, researchers combined five key metrics: Google Review ratings, average TikTok likes (measuring social media appeal), distance from the nearest major airport, country safety rankings (using the Global Peace Index), and the quality of local accommodations.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame earned the lowest score globally. Visitors frequently cited the area's "gritty" atmosphere and a lack of the glitz associated with the film industry. 

"The image you have of the Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of stardom and glitz, but the reality is your average city center with expensive gift shops," one visitor review stated.

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The Dead Sea (3.51) and the Grand Bazaar (3.86) were also criticized—the former for its isolation and regional safety risks, and the latter for its overwhelming crowds.

By the numbers:

The study provided specific scores for the bottom-performing sites to illustrate the scale of visitor disappointment:

1. Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, USA: 2.67 (overall score out of 10)
2. The Dead Sea, Jordan/Israel: 3.57 (overall score out of 10)
3. Grand Bazaar, Istanbul/Turkey: 3.86 (overall score out of 10)
4. Great Wall of China, China: 4.43 (overall score out of 10)
5. Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong: 4.68 (overall score out of 10)

What they're saying:

Jacob Wedderburn-Day, founder of Stasher, noted that social media often distorts a traveler’s perception before they arrive. 

"Famous doesn't always mean worthwhile," he stated. "Poor transport links, overcrowding, or locations that require significant effort to reach all impact whether a destination lives up to expectations built by decades of photos and films."

Big picture view:

The findings suggest a shift in modern travel priorities. 

While historical importance remains a draw, today’s tourists are increasingly factoring in "shareability" (TikTok engagement) and basic comfort (safety and lodging).

Locations that have relied solely on their name for decades are now facing backlash as infrastructure fails to keep up with the demands of a globalized, digitally connected audience.